The sustainable development through construction of structures environmentally friendly is a trend that has increased worldwide over the years. Due to accelerated global warming, are being sought various solutions to man’s impact on the environment is minimized. That is why constructions “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) are actually the most popular in construction sector.

Sustainable development – Gogetit Highlights

* The so-called green buildings, are a trend that is gaining ground among builders concerned not only get return on their spaces, but to make them friendlier to the environment and the community.

* Panama has 21 buildings certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

* Between 2012 and 2013, there was an increase of between 18% and 15% in the number of certified structures, and this year, the number of buildings registered for LEED certification increased by 73%.

Panama joins the many countries worldwide with green buildings, or structures environment friendly. It seems that the construction of structures leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is here to stay. Currently, Panama has 21 buildings that have this LEED certification.

According to information published by Martes Financiero website, some of the buildings with LEED certification in Panama are the US Embassy, ​​the building of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), the Bladex offices, shopping center in City of Knowledge next to the transshipment terminal that area and bedrooms in addition to the structure that houses the headquarters of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (Senacyt). Other buildings that add to the list are some of the branches of the General Bank, MMG Bank and MMG Tower in Costa del Este.

The Panama Green Building Council (GBC), a member of the World Green Building Council, promotes and monitors the green building in the country, not only to ensure that they are truly sustainable, but they are given proper use.

Now, one of the qualities of LEED buildings, is achieving the category of energy and atmosphere, with which you can earn credits by producing renewable energy on site and buy from a supplier authorized by the US Greenbuilding (US Green Council, creator of LEED).

Vanessa Holness, coordinator of Panama GBC membership, refers about 60 projects in process to obtain their certificates outside the 21 already recognized: “Anyone can say that the project is sustainable, in which case the buyer would have to believe or try to educate more about the principles of sustainable development / construction and request the sponsor to sustain him what measures are implemented. This is where the certifications like LEED, BREAM, HQE, among others, serve as tools not only certification but communication and purchase.”

Holness said that “The LEED certification gives you the opportunity to purchase certificates for international companies that generate renewable energy in the event that the above options are not possible for the project.” It is important to note that certifications provide reliable information to the buyer about the good that they will acquire. The projects certified by a third party free of conflicts of interest, be made that the records have more credibility than if you say the project owner.

A clear example of LEED certified building is the MMG Tower in Costa del Este. This building was designed to reduce energy expenditure, and adapt and maximize the climatic conditions of Panama. It also has motion sensors that control the lighting of common areas, stairwells and parking.

Other elements that are included in this building are high performance glazing, insulation and thermal infrared radiation, emergency generators and green roofs, avoiding the greenhouse effect and capture 95% of rainwater to water conservation. In addition, the elevators have an energy regeneration system, and air conditioning through ‘chillers’, unique in Panama, with a high degree of efficiency. This building was invested 60 million dollars.

Read more information here (Article in Spanish).

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